A CHINESE man charged in connection with a drugs haul worth an estimated £76,000 in Fermanagh in June has been remanded in custody for a further month.
Ze Yong Jiang (43) with an address at Main Street, Larne appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via video link from Maghaberry Prison for an update on his case.
Jiang is charged with one count of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply, namely cannabis, two counts of possessing cannabis, and one count of possessing a Class A drug, namely cocaine. The charges relate to the seizure of drugs in the Tamlaght area on June 15.
The court heard on Monday police were awaiting a number of forensic reports, such as a biology report which is due on September 28, and a fingerprint report, which police said they could also have within a matter of weeks.
A PSNI constable told the court police had also found material on a mobile phone which they believed may implicate in drug-related money laundering.
They explained the phone had been sent to the force’s cyber crime unit, and said they had been told that it could take at least six months to examine. The constable told the court she had explained the cyber crime unit the defendant was currently in custody awaiting a decision to be made on the case.
Jiang’s defence team expressed concern about the potential delay, while District Judge Nigel Broderick told the constable the court would not be willing to wait six months for the report on the phone to come back. Judge Broderick said either the cyber crime investigation was expedited, or the police submit their file without it.
Judge Broderick said he would be expecting a decision to be made on how to proceed with the matter as soon as the biology and finger print reports were returned. He adjourned the case until October 3 for an update, when Jiang will once again appear in court via video link from prison.
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